Dan Hixson’s 7-hole challenge course to open at The Links at Silvies Valley Ranch in July 2018 with a truly unique caddie program – trained American Range Goats

SILVIES, OREGON– February 7, 2018 - As far as caddies go, Steve Williams, Mike “Fluff” Cowan, Jim “Bones” Mackay and James “Tip” Anderson are a few of the G.O.A.T.s. Partnering with golf legends like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Arnold Palmer, they brought trust, honesty and guidance to the game, enhancing the play of all those who walked alongside them. In 2018, The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch will provide the same type of on-course support for its guests when it debuts a new 7-hole challenge course, McVeigh’s Gauntlet, this summer, offering G.O.A.T. caddies to their guests - literally.

Born and bred at Silvies Valley Ranch, professionally trained American Range Goat caddies will be available for hire on McVeigh’s Gauntlet, the latest golf experience to open at The Links at Silvies Valley Ranch. Saddled up with a custom-designed goat caddie pack that carries drinks, golf balls, tees and a few clubs, the goats will join players on The Gauntlet, bringing an entirely new sense of whimsy, entertainment and fun to the golf experience.

“We’re taking the golf experience at Silvies Valley Ranch to a new level in 2018,” says Dr. Scott Campbell, veterinarian and owner of The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch. “We’ve been developing an unprecedented caddie training program with our head caddie, Bruce LeGoat, to ensure that he and his team are ready for the opening of The Gauntlet this summer. We’re truly redefining both goat and golf operations at the ranch. Can you think of another course where its caddies were literally born, raised and fully educated on-property? We will get you a caddie who really knows the course and won’t give you any bad advice – and they work for peanuts!”

Designed by Dan Hixson, one of the most celebrated course architects in the Pacific Northwest, McVeigh’s Gauntlet joins Hixson’s 18-hole reversible layouts, the Hankins and Craddock Courses, and the 9-hole par-3 Chief Egan Course at The Links at Silvies Valley Ranch. A stunning 7-hole ridge course carved into a razor back, the course is challenging in design, yet fun and care-free to play in a short amount of time. McVeigh’s Gauntlet was designed to help players settle bets and test their accuracy on a series of par-3s and par-4s, while marveling at the views and the Western appeal of the ranch.

“Working with Scott on this project has been a lot of fun,” says course architect, Dan Hixson. “As a designer, having the trust, and space, to truly let loose and design not one, but four different courses with literally no boundaries, has been a rewarding experience. I’m eager for players to travel to Frontier Oregon to play each of the courses – they’re really unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”

Since opening to guests in summer 2017, its preview season, The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch has made its mark in the industry as Golf’s Newest Frontier. With luxurious Western-inspired accommodations, fine dining options, an extensive Scotch collection, unique activities and two of the country’s first reversible 18-hole courses, the boutique eco-resort is a must-see destination for families, couples, buddy trips, corporate groups and visitors across the globe.

This April marks the official opening season for The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch. For more information, please call 1-800-SILVIES, email
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or visit www.silvies.us.

About Silvies Valley Ranch

Silvies Valley Ranch is an ecologically sustainable Western livestock ranch and guest retreat with abundant herds of healthy wildlife. In many ways, it sets the standard for the nation in best ranching and environmental practices. Made up of 140,000 acres of deeded and leased National Forest and BLM lands in and surrounding Silvies Valley, Oregon, the property is home to mountain meadows, Ponderosa Pine forest, the Silvies River, and 12 other named creeks and drainages. The Ranch prides itself on quality, freedom, efficiency, and responsibility, operating under these principles at all times.

The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch is a 34-room eco-resort, complete with luxurious accommodations, fine dining, a conference center, full-service fitness center and spa. The property offers an incomparable golf experience for players of all skill levels, with two reversible 18-hole courses – the Hankins and Craddock Courses, McVeigh’s Gauntlet, a stunning 7-hole ridge course, and Chief Egan, a mountain meadow 9-hole par 3 course. Merging lodge and spa amenities with an amazing, diverse golf experience, intertwined with an authentic Western ranch, Silvies Valley Ranch is the ultimate retreat. Each and every stay brings the experience of a lifetime - visit and be Simply Amazed.